Preston Foster
Biography
Preston Foster was an American stage and film actor, and singer. He entered films in 1929 after appearing as a Broadway stage actor. Some of his notable films include Doctor X, I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, Annie Oakley, The Last Days of Pompeii, The Informer, and My Friend Flicka. He also starred in the television drama Waterfront, playing the role of Captain John Herrick. Foster has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was born in Pitman, New Jersey, USA, on August 22, 1900, and died in La Jolla, San Diego, California, on July 14, 1970. Foster's career spanned nearly four decades, with over 118 known credits.
Career overview
Preston Foster began his acting career as a stage actor, appearing in Broadway plays. He transitioned to film in 1929, continuing to work in both mediums. Foster's early film appearances include roles in notable movies such as Doctor X and I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, both released in 1932.
Foster's film career spanned several decades, with notable releases including Annie Oakley, The Last Days of Pompeii, and The Informer, all released in 1935. He also appeared in My Friend Flicka in 1943. Foster's television work includes starring in the drama series Waterfront, which aired from 1954 to 1955. He played the role of Captain John Herrick during his time on the show.
Foster's acting career lasted nearly four decades, with a total of 118 known credits. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the film industry. Preston Foster passed away on July 14, 1970, at the age of 69.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
118 titles- Lucy and Desi (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Barbara Stanwyck: Straight Down the Line (1997) as Self (archive footage)
- Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975) as Self (archive footage)
- Chubasco (1968) as Nick
- You've Got To Be Smart (1967) as D. O. Griggs
- The Time Travelers (1964) as Dr. Erik von Steiner
- Advance to the Rear (1964) as Gen. Bateman (uncredited)
- The Man from Galveston (1963) as Judge Homer Black
- Going My Way (1962)
- Target: The Corruptors! (1961)
- Gunslinger (1961) as Captain Zachary Scott
- Outlaws (1960)
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958)
- Harbor Command (1957)
- O. Henry Playhouse (1957) as John McCaskey
- Destination 60,000 (1957) as Col. Ed Buckley
- Waterfront (1954) as Cap'n John Herrick
- Letter to Loretta (1953)
- General Electric Theater (1953)
- Law and Order (1953) as Kurt Durling
- I, the Jury (1953) as Capt. Pat Chambers
- The Marshal's Daughter (1953) as Preston Foster - Poker-Game Player
- Kansas City Confidential (1952) as Tim Foster
- Montana Territory (1952) as Sheriff Henry Plummer
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Bob Hood
- Tomahawk (1951) as Col. Carrington
- The Big Gusher (1951) as Henry 'Hank' Mason
- The Big Night (1951) as Andy La Main
- Three Desperate Men (1951) as Tom Denton
- The Bogus Green (1951) as Brass McGannon
- The Tougher They Come (1950) as Joe MacKinley
- I Shot Jesse James (1949) as John Kelley
- The Big Cat (1949) as Tom Eggers
- The Hunted (1948) as Johnny Saxon
- Thunderhoof (1948) as Scotty Mason
- Ramrod (1947) as Frank Ivey
- King of the Wild Horses (1947) as Dave Taggert
- The Harvey Girls (1946) as Judge Sam Purvis
- Inside Job (1946) as Bart Madden
- It's Your America (1946) as Army Surgeon (uncredited)
- Tangier (1946) as Col. Jose Artiego
- Strange Triangle (1946) as Sam Crane
- The Valley of Decision (1945) as Jim Brennan
- Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood (1945) as Self (uncredited)
- Thunderhead: Son of Flicka (1945) as Rob McLaughlin
- Twice Blessed (1945) as Jeff Turner
- Roger Touhy, Gangster (1944) as Roger Touhy
- Bermuda Mystery (1944) as Steve Carramond
- Guadalcanal Diary (1943) as Father Donnelly
- My Friend Flicka (1943) as Rob McLaughlin
- Thunder Birds (1942) as Steve Britt
- American Empire (1942) as Paxton Bryce
- Classification of Enlisted Men (1942) as Narrator
- Night in New Orleans (1942) as Police Lt. Steve Abbott
- A Gentleman After Dark (1942) as Tom Gaynor
- Secret Agent of Japan (1942) as Roy Bonnell
- Little Tokyo, U.S.A. (1942) as Michael Steele
- Unfinished Business (1941) as Steve Duncan
- The Roundup (1941) as Greg Lane
- North West Mounted Police (1940) as Sergeant Jim Brett
- Moon Over Burma (1940) as Bill Gordon
- Cafe Hostess (1940) as Dan Walters
- Geronimo (1939) as Capt. Bill Starrett
- Society Smugglers (1939) as Sully
- Missing Evidence (1939) as Bill Collins
- News Is Made at Night (1939) as Steve Drum
- 20,000 Men a Year (1939) as Jim Howell
- Chasing Danger (1939) as Steve Mitchell
- Army Girl (1938) as Capt. Dike Conger
- Everybody's Doing It (1938) as Bruce Keene
- Submarine Patrol (1938) as Lt. (j.g.) John C. Drake
- Up the River (1938) as 'Chipper' Morgan
- Double Danger (1938) as Robert Crane
- The Lady in the Morgue (1938) as Det. Bill Crane
- The Last Warning (1938) as Bill Crane
- The Storm (1938) as Jack Stacey
- The Westland Case (1937) as Bill Crane - Private Detective
- You Can't Beat Love (1937) as James Ellsworth 'Jimmy' Hughes
- We Who Are About to Die (1937) as Steven Mathews
- The Outcasts of Poker Flat (1937) as John Oakhurst
- First Lady (1937) as Stephen Wayne
- Sea Devils (1937) as Michael 'Mike' O'Shea
- The Plough and the Stars (1936) as Jack Clitheroe
- Muss 'em Up (1936) as Tip O'Neil
- Love Before Breakfast (1936) as Scott Miller
- Annie Oakley (1935) as Toby Walker
- The Informer (1935) as Dan Gallagher
- The Last Days of Pompeii (1935) as Marcus
- A Night at the Biltmore Bowl (1935) as Preston Foster
- Strangers All (1935) as Murray Carter
- The Arizonian (1935) as Tex Randolph
- We're Only Human (1935) as Det. Sgt. Pete 'Mac' McCaffrey
- The People's Enemy (1935) as Vince M. Falcone
- Heat Lightning (1934) as George
- Wharf Angel (1934) as Como Murphy
- The Band Plays On (1934) as Howdy Hardy
- Sleepers East (1934) as Jason Everett
- Hoopla (1933) as Nifty Miller
- Sensation Hunters (1933) as Tom baylor
- Dangerous Crossroads (1933) as Hinton
- Ladies They Talk About (1933) as David Slade
- The 42nd Street Special (1933) as Self (uncredited)
- The Devil's Mate (1933) as Insp. O'Brien
- Just Around the Corner (1933) as Tim - Office Worker (uncredited)
- Elmer, the Great (1933) as Walker
- The Man Who Dared (1933) as Jan Novak
- Corruption (1933) as Tim Butler
- Doctor X (1932) as Dr. Wells
- I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang (1932) as Pete
- The All-American (1932) as Steve Kelly
- Two Seconds (1932) as Bud Clark
- Life Begins (1932) as Dr. Brett
- You Said a Mouthful (1932) as Ed Dover
- The Last Mile (1932) as John 'Killer' Mears, Cell 4
- His Woman (1931) as Crewman
- Follow the Leader (1930) as Two-Gun Terry
- Heads Up (1930) as Blake (uncredited)
- Nothing but the Truth (1929) as Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Preston Foster best known for?
Preston Foster is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Time Travelers (1964), Advance to the Rear (1964), The Man from Galveston (1963), Going My Way (1962).
When and where was Preston Foster born?
Preston Foster was born on August 22, 1900 in Pitman, New Jersey, USA. They passed away on July 14, 1970.
How many credits does Preston Foster have?
Preston Foster has accumulated over 118 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1929 to 2022.
What is Preston Foster's background in cinema and television?
Preston Foster was an American stage and film actor, and singer. He entered films in 1929 after appearing as a Broadway stage actor. Some of his notable films include Doctor X, I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang, Annie Oakley, The Last Days of Pompeii, The Informer, and My Friend Flicka. He also starred in the televisio...
Preston Foster by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Waterfront (1954) as Cap'n John Herrick — aged about 53
- 77 Sunset Strip (1958) — aged about 57
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Bob Hood — aged about 50
- Kansas City Confidential (1952) as Tim Foster — aged about 51
- Tomahawk (1951) as Col. Carrington — aged about 50
- General Electric Theater (1953) — aged about 52
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